8 arrests made in stolen vehicle investigation

Anchorage Police say they have made multiple arrests over the weekend in several stolen vehicle investigations.

Since Friday, APD spokesperson MJ Thim said the following people were taken into custody:

Joseph Sanford, 25

Casey Stricklin, 37

Russell Anderson, 32

Rose Soto-Naranjo, 21

Lawrence Ward, 42

Joseph McAlees, 36

Shannon Perkins, 31

Denzel Lang, 24

Sanford was arrested Friday afternoon after police spotted him in a stolen vehicle on Mountain View Drive near the Glenn Highway.

"The suspect refused to stop and ultimately spun out near Commercial Drive. The suspect the exited the vehicle and fled from officers on foot," Thim wrote in a Nixle Monday.

Sanford was eventually caught and arrested on multiple charges including vehicle theft in the first-degree and eluding.

On Saturday, APD made another 5 arrests.

Around 3:05 p.m., an officer spotted a stolen vehicle at the intersection of Old Seward Highway and East Dimond Boulevard and pulled over the vehicle at the intersection of Lore Rd. and Sandlewood Place. The driver was identified as Stricklin who was arrested for vehicle theft in the first-degree and theft in the first-degree.

Two hours later, a stolen vehicle was spotted in the area of Old Seward Highway and 40th Avenue. The driver who was identified as Anderson and the passenger, Soto-Naranjo, were taken into custody. Anderson was charged with vehicle theft in the first-degree and theft in the second-degree. Soto-Naranjo was charged with criminal mischief-- for riding in a stolen vehicle, Misconduct involving a controlled substance and violation of conditions of release.

Just after 10 p.m., Ward was arrested for vehicle theft in the first-degree and theft in the first-degree after officers were notified of a stolen vehicle in the 800 block of Ingra Street.

At 10:40 p.m., an officer spotted a stolen vehicle in the 100 block of Bragaw Street.

"All of the occupants jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot. One of the occupants, Joseph McAlees (36-years-old), was located behind a restaurant," Thim said.

Behind the restaurant, the officer found one of the occupants, McAlees, who refused to follow commands. He was eventually arrested after a K9 was deployed. McAlees was charged with vehicle theft in the first-degree, theft in the first-degree and eluding.

On Sunday officers made two more arrests.

Perkins was arrested on multiple charges including vehicle theft and theft after taking off in a car that plowed through a snowbank.

"At 9:20 a.m. a woman collided with a snowbank in the area of Muldoon and Creekside Center Drive," Thim wrote. "When the woman stepped outside of her car to call her insurance company, Shannon Perkins (31-years-old), got into the vehicle and began to drive away."

The car eventually abandoned and police found Perkins walking down 6th Avenue at Norman Street.

The last arrest was made at 5:11 p.m. after officers spotted a stolen vehicle at a carwash located at 2305 East 5th Avenue.

"The suspect exited the vehicle and fled from officers on foot. Officers caught the suspect in the area of 4th Avenue and Reeve Blvd," Thim wrote.

Officers identified the suspect as Lang who was arrested for vehicle theft in the first-degree, theft in the second-degree and resisting arrest.

Everyone has been charged except Perkins and Lang, who have pending charges.